Rothen reveals Rovers snub

02 September 2009 07:50

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Jerome Rothen has confirmed he turned down the chance to join Blackburn Rovers before agreeing a deal with Rangers.
SPL champions Rangers wrapped up a season-long loan deal for the Paris St Germain winger on deadline day after a move to Schalke was unable to be completed in time.
In addition to Schalke, Rothen had also attracted interest from Blackburn and he visited the Premier League club earlier in the summer.
However, the France international has revealed he is excited by the chance to play for a club of Rangers' stature and is looking forward to playing in the UEFA Champions League.
"I am absolutely delighted to be joining Rangers, a massive club with a great history," Rothen told the club's official website.
"It has been a very busy day, but I have been very impressed with everything and now look forward to a new chapter in my life.
"I did have other offers from Schalke and Blackburn, but I just felt that Rangers offered something different.
"Playing in the Champions League is, of course, great for the club but there is also a big chance to win trophies in Scotland. This is important for any footballer."
Rangers boss Walter Smith is hoping the 31-year-old can help to fill the problematic left midfield position in his team.
Smith said: "We are delighted to welcome Jerome to the club and I think he will be an excellent addition to our squad.
"He has a great deal of experience which was, of course, a big thing for us and he can play on the left, which has been a position we have struggled to fill.
"We have used a few boys there in the past and, to be fair to them, it's not really been their natural position.
"Jerome has been a left-sided winger for his entire career, so hopefully he will bring a good balance to our team."